In 1931, the Empire State Building was completed, "The Star
Spangled Banner" became the national anthem and DeForest Training
School -- now DeVry University -- opened.

Seventy-five years ago, it was courses in electronics, radio and motion
pictures that launched a new era in post-secondary education. Today, DeVry
University offers high-tech degree programs such as biomedical engineering
technology, computer engineering technology and game and simulation
programming.

Founded by Herman DeVry, a pioneer and inventor in the electronics and
motion picture industries, DeForest Training School quickly established a
reputation of providing career-oriented, technology-driven educational
programs.

DeForest Training School's technology programs were so cutting-edge,
during World War II the United States military called upon the institution
to train troops in electronics.

In 1953 the school changed its name to DeVry Technical Institute, and
four years later it was granted accreditation to bestow associate's
degrees in electronics. DeVry eventually branched out into computers and
accounting, and built more campuses in the Chicago and Toronto
areas.

In 1967, the Bell & Howell Company, best known perhaps for its role
in inventing movie cameras, completed its acquisition of the school, and a
fast-paced, nationwide expansion program ensued. The following year, the
school underwent another name change, to DeVry Institute of Technology. In
1969 DeVry was authorized to award bachelor's degrees in electronics.

Throughout the 1970s Bell & Howell developed a technology-based
curriculum which focused on preparing students for careers in the
burgeoning engineering and computer industry. By 1983 DeVry had an
enrollment of 30,000 students nationwide.

In the 1980s, DeVry University, then called the DeVry Institute of
Technology, added degree programs in business. The institution's name was
changed in 2002 to DeVry University to reflect the university's expanded
course offerings.

"Virtually every business today relies on technology to remain
competitive in the increasingly global economy," said David Pauldine,
president of DeVry University during the 75th anniversary in 2006..
"As technology and business converged, DeVry University realized the
need for technology-driven business degree programs. Programs such as our
bachelor's degree programs in business administration and technical
management have quickly become popular with students looking to succeed in
corporate America or start their own business ventures."

In 1987, the growing institution merged with the Keller Graduate School
of Management and began offering master's degree programs in business,
technology and management to working adult students. Today, DeVry
University is one of North America's largest degree-granting higher
education systems.

This
certificate prepared my father to embrace the new
electronics invention... RADAR. Just prior to the war breaking out, he completed electronics training in March 1941.

H. A. Sharpe

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